SM Prime sets June opening of Cebu’s largest arena

Insider Spotlight

• SM Prime to launch SM Seaside Cebu Arena in June 2026
• First purpose-built multipurpose indoor arena in Cebu
• Venue to host over 25,000 guests within South Coast City estate
• Early talks underway with concert and sports event organizers
  
  

SM Prime Holdings Inc. is set to deepen its footprint in the Visayas with the opening of SM Seaside Cebu Arena in June 2026, positioning Cebu as a major hub for international events and large-scale entertainment.

The announcement was disclosed in a regulatory filing dated Feb. 24, 2026.

The arena will be the largest of its kind and the first purpose-built multipurpose indoor arena in the Province of Cebu. It will rise within South Coast City, SM Prime’s integrated estate development in the region.

The big picture

The SM Seaside Cebu Arena will have a building footprint of about 1.6 hectares and a total gross floor area of roughly 7.4 hectares. 

The venue is designed to accommodate over 25,000 guests, making it one of the largest indoor arenas in the country outside Metro Manila.

SM Prime said it is already in talks with concert promoters, sports federations, family entertainment producers, and corporate event organizers ahead of its opening, signaling strong early interest and a healthy pipeline of events.

Why it matters

“By building a venue of this scale in Cebu, we are strengthening the Visayas as a destination for international events, domestic tourism and long-term investment,” Jeffrey C. Lim, SM Prime president, said in a press statement.

The project is expected to reduce the need for Cebu-based fans and organizations to stage or attend major events in Metro Manila, potentially redistributing tourism spending and related economic activity to the region.

“There is a lot of excitement and anticipation for this project because Cebuanos have long supported live concerts, and having a large-capacity venue in Cebu makes these events more accessible without the added cost of traveling to Manila,” Lim said.

By the numbers

The arena will feature multi-level spectator areas, professional-grade sports and entertainment systems, corporate suites, VIP lounges, diverse food and beverage concepts, and other lifestyle amenities.

A SkyBridge will connect the arena directly to SMX Convention Center Cebu and SM Seaside City Cebu, enabling efficient visitor circulation and integrated event experiences.

Track record

SM Seaside Cebu Arena builds on SM Prime’s experience with the SM Mall of Asia Arena, which opened in 2012 and has hosted global sporting events and international artists .

With Cebu’s new arena, SM Prime is betting that demand for world-class venues extends well beyond the capital—and that regional cities are ready for a bigger stage. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma